Andrew is a New York based writer/director and the long-time creative director for The Thorn. Now a nationally touring production, The Thorn takes traditional theater, circus performance, concert-style sound and lighting design and blends them with a direct story of faith and redemption. 

While starting as a small, resident show in Colorado over 25 years ago, this performance has continued to evolve across the decades—at one point including live tigers and at another pioneering a touring model that featured a brand new cast every week.  After a filmed version of The Thorn was released in movie theaters in 2023, the show took on its current evolution, touring to over 50 cities in just under 2 years—all the while selling out some of the largest performing arts centers in the US.

As a storyteller Andrew is particularly concerned with how the stories we tell each other both reflect and shape how we feel about our own existence. His own writing, such as his debut short film Cardboard Dreams, reflexively seems to hover around this idea. 

To this end, also hosts the podcast The Meaning of Movie alongside fellow director and friend, Rob Stennett.

 

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The StageLync Podcast is a branch of our larger StageLync Community. Come visit us at www.stagelync.com

Ep.14: Andrew Harmon: Writer & Creative Director - “Stories reveal who we are” (Audio)

William Gorlin serves as McLaren Engineering Group’s Vice President - Entertainment Division, is a graduate of Cornell University, and is registered as a Professional Engineer in 26 States. His 38 years of experience include engineering of scenic, entertainment and amusement structures, staging, rigging, theatrical infrastructure, buildings, show action equipment, scenic elements, theme park attractions, architectural theming, sculptures, and other frameworks, worldwide. Mr. Gorlin is a member of the ESTA Rigging Working Group, ASTM Committee F24 for Amusement Rides and Devices, and Structural Engineers Association of New York. 

Bill received the 2024 Backstage Legend and Master Award from the Broadway Technical Theatre History Project and was named “Engineer of the Year” in 2018 by the New York State Society of Professional Engineers. Bill is the author of the “Structural Behavior” chapter in Entertainment Rigging for the 21st Century, Ed. Bill Sapsis, Focal Press, 2015.

 

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The StageLync Podcast is a branch of our larger StageLync Community. Come visit us at www.stagelync.com

Ep.13: William Gorlin: Vice President of Entertainment Engineering - “Using Math and Science to Bring Entertainment to Life” (Audio)

Shana is Co-Founding Artistic Director of the Montreal based circus company The 7 Fingers. Since its founding in 2002, Carroll has written, directed and choreographed 12 of their touring and/or resident shows, 3 of which (Passengers, Duel Reality, Dear San Francisco) are currently running, and which also includes Sequence 8 at NY City Center and Traces off- Broadway run at Union Square Theatre. Carroll received a Drama Desk Nomination for Choreography and Best Theatrical Experience for their show Traces. Outside The 7 Fingers, Carroll directed Cirque du Soleil’s first- ever ice show Crystal, in addition to their performance at the Academy Awards in 2012. Also, for Cirque du Soleil, Carroll was circus choreographer and designer for their shows Iris (Los Angeles) and Paramour (Broadway). Other credits include: Queen of the Night (Drama Desk Recipient); Soul of the Ocean (Moment Factory); Cité Mémoire (Lemieux-Pilon); and the Sochi Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies (medieval segment). Prior to directing and choreography, Carroll was herself a trapeze artist, performing for over 20 years in the air with circuses and dance companies around the world, most notably as the original solo trapeze artist for Cirque du Soleil’s Saltimbanco. She also appeared in Cirque du Soleil produced television and film. Now based in Montreal, where she relocated in 1991 to attend l’École Nationale de Cirque, Carroll is originally from Berkeley, California. In 2023, Carroll was inducted into the Ordre of Arts and Letters of Quebec, a distinction honoring those who have contributed to artistic and cultural development in the province of Quebec.

Most recently, Carroll was Circus Designer and Co-choreographer of the musical Water For Elephants, first at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta and now in its Broadway run at the Imperial Theatre, for which she received a Suzi Bass Award and the Chita Rivera Award for Best Choreography, as well as Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics' Circle nominations in the same category.

 

“ATTENTION SPOTIFY LISTENERS: IF you want to WATCH this with VIDEO, you can also subscribe to our video version:

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@stagelync

Thank you to our sponsor @clear-com

The StageLync Podcast is a branch of our larger StageLync Community. Come visit us at www.stagelync.com

Ep.12: Shana Carroll: Artistic Director - “I just have to find my true north and be true to it” (Audio)

Shana is Co-Founding Artistic Director of the Montreal based circus company The 7 Fingers. Since its founding in 2002, Carroll has written, directed and choreographed 12 of their touring and/or resident shows, 3 of which (Passengers, Duel Reality, Dear San Francisco) are currently running, and which also includes Sequence 8 at NY City Center and Traces off- Broadway run at Union Square Theatre. Carroll received a Drama Desk Nomination for Choreography and Best Theatrical Experience for their show Traces. Outside The 7 Fingers, Carroll directed Cirque du Soleil’s first- ever ice show Crystal, in addition to their performance at the Academy Awards in 2012. Also, for Cirque du Soleil, Carroll was circus choreographer and designer for their shows Iris (Los Angeles) and Paramour (Broadway). Other credits include: Queen of the Night (Drama Desk Recipient); Soul of the Ocean (Moment Factory); Cité Mémoire (Lemieux-Pilon); and the Sochi Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies (medieval segment). Prior to directing and choreography, Carroll was herself a trapeze artist, performing for over 20 years in the air with circuses and dance companies around the world, most notably as the original solo trapeze artist for Cirque du Soleil’s Saltimbanco. She also appeared in Cirque du Soleil produced television and film. Now based in Montreal, where she relocated in 1991 to attend l’École Nationale de Cirque, Carroll is originally from Berkeley, California. In 2023, Carroll was inducted into the Ordre of Arts and Letters of Quebec, a distinction honoring those who have contributed to artistic and cultural development in the province of Quebec.

Most recently, Carroll was Circus Designer and Co-choreographer of the musical Water For Elephants, first at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta and now in its Broadway run at the Imperial Theatre, for which she received a Suzi Bass Award and the Chita Rivera Award for Best Choreography, as well as Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics' Circle nominations in the same category.

 

@stagelync

Thank you to our sponsor @clear-com

The StageLync Podcast is a branch of our larger StageLync Community. Come visit us at www.stagelync.com

Ep.12: Shana Carroll: Artistic Director - “I just have to find my true north and be true to it” (Video)

Kimberly began her career in the entertainment industry as a Freelance Stage Manager working with regional theatres throughout Los Angeles and Orange County. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Technical Production and Design from California State University, Fullerton. Kimberly has served as the Resident Stage Manager for the Tony award winning Deaf West Theatre, Production Stage Manager for Disney Live Entertainment, Manager of Production Operations for Princess Cruises and currently serves as the Associate Director of Production for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, overseeing venues such as the Hollywood Bowl, Walt Disney Concert Hall as well as traveling with the organization on tours throughout the world. 

 

“ATTENTION SPOTIFY LISTENERS: IF you want to WATCH this with VIDEO, you can also subscribe to our video version:

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@stagelync

Thank you to our sponsor @clear-com

The StageLync Podcast is a branch of our larger StageLync Community. Come visit us at www.stagelync.com

Ep.11: Kimberly Mitchell: Associate Director of Production - "Our job in production to facilitate the best experience possible" (Audio)

Kimberly began her career in the entertainment industry as a Freelance Stage Manager working with regional theatres throughout Los Angeles and Orange County. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Technical Production and Design from California State University, Fullerton. Kimberly has served as the Resident Stage Manager for the Tony award winning Deaf West Theatre, Production Stage Manager for Disney Live Entertainment, Manager of Production Operations for Princess Cruises and currently serves as the Associate Director of Production for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, overseeing venues such as the Hollywood Bowl, Walt Disney Concert Hall as well as traveling with the organization on tours throughout the world. 

 

@stagelync

Thank you to our sponsor @clear-com

The StageLync Podcast is a branch of our larger StageLync Community. Come visit us at www.stagelync.com

Ep.11: Kimberly Mitchell: Associate Director of Production - "Our job in production to facilitate the best experience possible" (Video)

Along with his wife Jennifer, Jason Whicker is the co-owner of ‘On The FLY Productions’, a full service provider of Aerial and Flying Effects around the world. Jason has been working for over 20 years as a Flying Director, Choreographer, and Aerial Director. He is an ETCP Certified Arena and Theatre Rigger. Jason has worked on all different types of productions from Broadway - American Idiot, Spongebob, King Kong, Moulin Rouge; TV - AGT, Fake Off, Game of Talents, Little Big Shots; Cruise Ships - Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Princess Cruise Lines, and various theaters throughout the world creating unique Aerial and Flying Effects.

 

“ATTENTION SPOTIFY LISTENERS: IF you want to WATCH this with VIDEO, you can also subscribe to our video version:

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@stagelync

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The StageLync Podcast is a branch of our larger StageLync Community. Come visit us at www.stagelync.com

 

Ep.10 Jason Whicker: Aerial Director - “There is no certification for performer flying” (Audio)

Born in Medellín, Colombia, Juan Ruiz has emerged as one of the most sought-after jazz musicians in the New York City music scene, where he continues to delight audiences with his music and poetry as the leader of his band.

He began his studies in Medellin, Colombia, with Elizabeth Isaza at the Universidad de Antioquia. During this time, he was part of several music projects in the city, including the Antioquia Youth Symphony and the Symphonic Band of the Universidad de Antioquia as a clarinetist.

In 2006, he was awarded a scholarship to continue his musical studies in Boston, where he studied Composition and jazz performance on clarinet and saxophone at the Longy School of Music and Berklee College of Music. He studied under the tutelage of Ken Radnofsky, Greg Hopkins, Shannon Leclaire, John Morrison, and Ed Tomassi.

Juan collaborates in commissioned work with Maestro Kenneth Radnofsky, professor at the New England Conservatory and the Wind Ensemble of New England Conservatory. His most recent compositions have been presented in Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico, China, Germany, and the United States.

A promoter of collaboration, Juan performs with different groups in New York City. He is the personal assistant of the 15-time Grammy winner Paquito D'Rivera, composing, arranging, and performing a diverse repertoire during his concerts in New York and abroad.

Juan has also worked as a producer for different projects including artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, The New York Voices, Paquito D'Rivera and Chucho Valdés among others.

 

“ATTENTION SPOTIFY LISTENERS: IF you want to WATCH this with VIDEO, you can also subscribe to our video version:

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@stagelync

Thank you to our sponsor @clear-com

The StageLync Podcast is a branch of our larger StageLync Community. Come visit us at www.stagelync.com

 

 

Ep.9: Juan Ruiz: Jazz Artist - "Jazz allows me to just be myself" (Audio)

Born in Medellín, Colombia, Juan Ruiz has emerged as one of the most sought-after jazz musicians in the New York City music scene, where he continues to delight audiences with his music and poetry as the leader of his band.
He began his studies in Medellin, Colombia, with Elizabeth Isaza at the Universidad de Antioquia. During this time, he was part of several music projects in the city, including the Antioquia Youth Symphony and the Symphonic Band of the Universidad de Antioquia as a clarinetist.

In 2006, he was awarded a scholarship to continue his musical studies in Boston, where he studied Composition and jazz performance on clarinet and saxophone at the Longy School of Music and Berklee College of Music. He studied under the tutelage of Ken Radnofsky, Greg Hopkins, Shannon Leclaire, John Morrison, and Ed Tomassi.

Juan collaborates in commissioned work with Maestro Kenneth Radnofsky, professor at the New England Conservatory and the Wind Ensemble of New England Conservatory. His most recent compositions have been presented in Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico, China, Germany, and the United States.

A promoter of collaboration, Juan performs with different groups in New York City. He is the personal assistant of the 15-time Grammy winner Paquito D'Rivera, composing, arranging, and performing a diverse repertoire during his concerts in New York and abroad.

Juan has also worked as a producer for different projects including artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, The New York Voices, Paquito D'Rivera and Chucho Valdés among others.

 

@stagelync

Thank you to our sponsor @clear-com

The StageLync Podcast is a branch of our larger StageLync Community. Come visit us at www.stagelync.com

Ep.9 Juan Ruiz: Jazz Artist - "Jazz allows me to just be myself" (Video)

TheatreArtLife.com is a platform for industry professionals in all live entertainment genres to connect and learn from each other, find employment opportunities around the globe and to grow personally and professionally in their careers. We host a community of creative and technical professionals sharing their knowledge, experience, passion, obstacles and cultures. Created BY the industry FOR the industry. Our podcast is putting the spotlight on those who create live entertainment. Presenting to you, the culture creators and the backstage masters.

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